New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) congratulates wide receiver Kenny Stills (84) after throwing a touchdown pass to him against the Oakland Raiders in an NFL preseason game Friday.

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Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 9 of his first 11 passes, and New Orleans' much-maligned defense held Oakland scoreless through its first five possessions and added a safety late as the Saints held on for a 28-20 victory over the Raiders in a preseason game Friday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Brees played virtually the whole first half and completed 14 of 18 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown in taking New Orleans to a 23-7 halftime lead. His 16-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Kenny Stills put the Saints up 17-0 with 14 seconds to play in the first quarter. Running ...